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| Sunday, 5 January 2003 |
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It was nearing New Year's night and the stage was set for the entertainment that had been put off since mid-December or so because of some in-house dispute. So it had been unanimously decided to stage the play to coincide with the 31st night revels. Bottom even had the idea of mixing the two events and let the play spill into the revelry. What's so original about that? asked Quince. 'The play is in itself revelry,'he said, answering his own question. 'Who ever heard of such nonsense?' Bottom snapped back.'The play is a play and the revelry is revelry and they do not need to meet.' 'You have got hold of the wrong end of the stick,' said Quince.'Which end, if you please, sir?' came a small voice from the depths of a bluebell. It was one of the blithe spirits of the night trying to understand the logic of a play merging into New Year celebrations. Since no agreement had been finalised, and time was running out,they decided to put the problem to Oberon who is really the best at deciding these things. A delegation met Ob on a platform that had been put halfway up a tree which was to serve as the table for the meeting; everyone would be sitting on the branches of the tree except Oberon and Your Tit for whom two makeshift thrones had been set up, covered with red velvet. It was two days to go to New Year when the crucial meeting took place amidst much hustle and bustle and Bot letting out loud laughs whenever anyone said anything stupid,which was quite often. Someone thought of putting it to the vote, but it was pointed out that the voting process would be too long in setting up; there were propaganda posters to be printed, campaign meetings to be held and hundreds of other things to be done. Oberon used his Royal Prerogative to veto the whole thing and there was no further talk. 'I have an idea!' That was Starveling who suddenly got quite activated. 'You and your funny ideas!' said Bottom in a cutting put down. Then everyone began to talk at the same time and make quite a row. 'Silence, please!'ordered Quince.'You forget that the king and queen are here. At that, Oberon intervened-and there was acorn-drop silence. 'Let Starveling tell us what his idea is,' said Oberon who was always just at all times. 'Well, sire,' Starveling stuttered and stammered through 'nerves'.'If Your Majesty would pardon me, sire, I thought it might be a nice thing to have the stage set up on a side so that those revellers who wanted to see a bit or more of the play could do so while they are revelling.' 'It is not a bad idea, Starveling, said Ob, adding: 'But what if the players want to join the revellers in their celebration?'Ob looked round,expecting an answer. There was plenty of whispering and giggling going on and then Quince struck the table with his fist to order silence. 'Do not you think that such a situation would cause some chaos?" asked Ob. 'Not a little, sire,' said Bottom with a sidelong glance at Starveling who was looking confused and upset.' 'I propose that the play be held on a central stage with the celebrations going on all around it, like it would be when The Bard would get his plays going in around five-hundred years from now. 'We knew you would come up with something really original and exciting,'said Bottom at his most ingratiating, doffing his mad-cap and giving Oberon a sweeping bow. A huge cheer went up which they said could have been heard in Sherwood.' 'That would be a really exciting situation,' said Quince who had to agree with everything the king said. "Puck, Starveling, Bottom and all the rest, start now, this very minute, to set up the stage.' Quince gave orders like rapid-fire shooting. 'You, Snout, don't just stand there open-mouthed. Do something. Go to Sherwood and tell Robin O' the Hood that we need some assistance in the way of manpower. Also tell them to bring a few trees along to make the stage.' 'Very good, Quince.' That was Bot lacing his acquiescence with sarcasm that could have been heard in Robin's front garden. What about the invitations? asked Snout timidly.' 'I shall be attending to that part of it,' said Quince. 'Quite right, quite right. Don't you know that Quince is our media man,silly?' queried Snout. Everyone who was anybody in the forest was to be invited and that, of course, included Robin and his men, Arthur and Guinivere, with Merlin and owl in attendance,the Beatles, UB 40 and all the top entertainers who would be invited to provide the music for the evening. 'We have to make a surprise announcement that there will also be a symphony orchestra in attendance which will be conducted by none other than that brilliant conductor from Sri Lanka, Rohan Joseph,'said Oberon in his most imperious manner. 'Oh,sire! That's the one who conducts without a baton' asked Mustard Seed who was sitting on a daffodil, only to have Quince snatch her off the flower and behind him. 'Don't ask such stupid questions,' said Bottom to the poor little thing who immediately melted into tears. One of the footmen signalled to Bottom to bring the little fairy to me, which he did, and her crying stopped as I held her in my lap and wrapped my shawl around her. 'Now then! On with the arrangements for the Grand Forest Ball!'announced Quince and everyone raised their glasses of mead and wine that had been passed round by footmen as the meeting got under way. Tit |
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